Page 3 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay (Spotted Cottage #4)

This whole thing was ridiculous. Addy didn’t need a bodyguard. No one was going to come all the way to San Juan Island to attack her, and if they tried to, she could take care of herself. She wasn’t some doe-eyed damsel in distress.

The one embarrassing thing that proved she wasn’t quite so savvy was her not asking Rick for his credentials. It felt too rude! Patty, on the other hand, had no qualms.

Maybe Patty could be her bodyguard.

Addy’s phone rang and she quickly pulled it out of her pocket. It was Shane. She rushed to the kitchen before answering.

“Hey, Shane.”

“Adelaide, hi.”

She bit her lip. He’d never used her full name during their nineteen years of marriage. It was always honey , or boo-boo , or Lay-Lay . It wasn’t until the end he’d transitioned to calling her Addy .

It was a standard nickname for her, but hearing it from him was jarring. She’d noticed it immediately. She knew in her heart then that it was over, but it took her another two years to accept it.

“What’s going on, Shane? There’s a man here claiming to be my bodyguard.”

He sighed. “I was hoping I would get to talk to you before he arrived. Things happened so quickly.”

“Are you okay? I heard something about a brick?”

“Yeah, that wasn’t great. It came through the living room window.”

She had no idea what his new house looked like. How strange that was. “Oh.”

“No one was hurt. It’s a high-profile case. I can’t talk about it, but you might’ve seen it in the news.”

“I haven’t.”

“A company is suing the government for the right to donate to politicians.”

“Isn’t there a law limiting political spending?” At least in Canada, where Shane was a judge.

Being back in the US, she was surprised by the endless political ads. One had such a frightening voiceover that it had made Patty’s golden retriever Derby jump and leave the room.

Shane cleared his throat. “It’s complicated and, as you can imagine, people are fired up on both sides. There’s an argument that it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

Addy raised an eyebrow. “This is a company arguing that? I doubt the average Canadian citizen wants companies to have more influence over politicians.”

“Adelaide, I can’t talk about this with you.”

Oh. Adelaide now.

She sucked in a breath. “Okay, sorry.”

“We’re not sure who made the threat, but the company generously offered to pay for personal security for you.”

“Why are they threatening me?” she asked.

He was quiet for a beat. “That’s the thing. We’re not entirely sure they meant you.”

“I thought the note said ‘your wife might not survive,’ or something.”

“Right, well.” Shane cleared his throat. “I’m seeing someone. She lives with me. Whoever was watching me, I think they were talking about her, but we can’t be sure.”

“Oh.” Her voice, the traitor, went up an octave. “Of course. Then I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Better safe than sorry. That way I can feel safe to make the right decision.”

Oh, right . This was about him. Absolving him of guilt. Making sure he could work unencumbered. “How long is this going to take?”

“No more than a few weeks, hopefully.”

“A few weeks!” She caught herself and lowered her voice. “I’m not going to have this guy following me around for weeks, Shane.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Her mother’s voice carried through the door, followed by Sheila’s. It might be shouting or laughter; she wasn’t sure.

“I have to go,” Shane said, “but I can understand why you are having a lot of emotions about this.”

He was talking to her like she was a mental patient. He’d picked up some key phrases in couple’s therapy. Empty words without feeling, in his case. In her case, an emptied box of tissues at every session.

“It’s fine,” Addy said, “I have to go too.”

She ended the call and pushed the kitchen door open. Sheila stood over their mother, hands on her hips. Sheila’s boyfriend Russell stood back by Rick, watching the scene unfold.

“Why are you being like this?” Sheila barked.

“Sheila,” Addy said, placing a gentle hand on her elbow. “If anyone walks in, they’re going to think you’re trying to fight an old lady.”

“Maybe I am,” Sheila muttered under her breath.

Addy led her back to Russell, who stood by the door, his face flat, his eyes watching them all.

He had to think they were all nutters. Her most of all.

Marilyn sat in her chair, her purse in her lap, her eyes round. “I’m just trying to enjoy my tea.”

“You said it tasted like poison,” Sheila said over her shoulder.

“I said I’ve had better.” Marilyn picked up her teacup and put it to her lips. “But I’ve traveled all over the world—what do you expect? For me to lie to spare your feelings?”

Eliza forced a smile. “Can I get you something else, Grandma?”

“No, no.” Marilyn tipped the cup back before setting it down with a clatter. “Don’t worry about me. I make do.”

Rick’s dark figure floated into the corner of Addy’s vision. She jumped.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s fine,” Addy said. “This is my sister, Sheila.”

“Hello, Sheila.”

Sheila ripped her elbow out of Addy’s grasp. “Who’s that?”

“That’s Rick,” Addy said, trying not to smile.

“Who is Rick?” Sheila demanded.

“My bodyguard.” Addy turned toward him. “I spoke to Shane and –”

Sheila cut her off. “How do you know Shane?”

Big sisters, always so quick to demand answers. This was getting out of hand.

Addy’s shoulders dropped. “Sheila, come with me. Let’s talk.”

She led her into the kitchen. The door swung open and Rick stepped in behind her.

“I just needed to confirm there’s no door in here.”

Sheila’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me, Rick! Get out of here!”

He disappeared behind the door and Addy covered her mouth with her hand.

It was wrong to laugh, but if she didn’t she would lose her mind. “He’s my bodyguard, Sheila.”

“Your what? Did I walk into another dimension, Addy? What is going on?!”

With a deep breath, Addy told her about the court case, the threat, and Patty interrogating Rick.

“Patty came to get me,” Sheila said, “and she didn’t even mention Rick. She said Mom is here and looking for money.”

“I’m not sure what the story is with the money yet.”

“Let me tell you something,” Sheila said, voice low.

“The last time I let Mom stay in my house was when I was selling it. She refused to leave and I had to pack up all of her stuff on closing day and move it out myself! I am not letting her stay with us. Not at Patty’s cottage, and certainly not at Russell’s house.

If you let her in, you will never be rid of her. ”

Addy bit her lip. “Tell me how you really feel.”

Sheila let out a huff. “That is how I really feel. I know she’s our mom, but you can’t get sucked in. She takes and takes and takes.”

“I know, Sheila. Don’t worry. We’ll find somewhere for her to stay.”

She sighed, leaning against the counter. “Tell me more about this bodyguard. What was the threat?”

Addy shrugged. “Something about Shane’s wife being in trouble if he made the wrong decision.”

“What?” Sheila scowled. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Shane seemed to think it was more likely about his new live-in girlfriend, not me. They still sent someone to watch over me until the case is over.”

Sheila’s mouth fell open. “Oh, Addy. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” she said, voice too high again. “We’re not together anymore. It’s not like I was holding out hope we’d rekindle our love affair.”

“But still. It stinks.”

It did stink, but Addy wasn’t going to dwell on it.

Patty pushed her way into the kitchen. “I couldn’t help but overhear what you two were talking about.”

“Overhear? You never hear anything when I’m trying to talk to you,” Sheila said.

Patty waved a rag at her. “It’s because you always try to talk to me when I’m washing dishes. Don’t you worry, Adelaide. I know plenty of eligible bachelors on the island and I’m a very successful matchmaker.”

Sheila and Addy met eyes. “Oh?”

“You never would have met Russell if it weren’t for me, Sheila,” Patty said. “You’re welcome.”

Sheila laughed. “You’re right. You’re a matchmaker.”

Patty grinned. “Thank you.”

Addy had no interest in being matched. She had no interest in a bodyguard, or in Shane’s love life, or –

“There’s a note in this bottle!” Marilyn called out. “Here let me – hang on, I can do it. I just need to grip it right…”

No! That was not happening. Not on top of everything else.

Addy kicked the kitchen door open, napkins fluttering in her wake.